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RAF: COMBINED CADET FORCE

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We are very proud of our Sixth Form students who took part in the Service of Remembrance at Aldridge War Memorial on Sunday 11th November. It was very moving and the students were very privileged to be part of such an important event. They each took on their responsibilities with...

Our RAF Cadet Force delivered a moving and reflective Remembrance event, commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War. You can read the full text of the ceremony below. Barr Beacon Service of Remembrance – 9/11/18 By Corporal E. Payne On Friday 9th November our...

Cadet Blog – Our flying experience! By Corporal Payne (Year 10) On Tuesday 23rd of October, our Cadets traded the school gates for RAF Cosford as we began our flying experience. As soon as we arrived, we were briefed by a fully qualified instructor with hundreds of flying...

The new Year 9 cadets, accompanied by Cpl Lawlor from Year 10, went on their first camping experience last Wednesday. They stayed at ‘Farm on the Hill’ campsite where they had to use an eco-toilet and eat genuine military ration packs which they had to cook themselves. Some...

FAQs

Who is eligible?

All pupils, when they reach year 9, are eligible to apply to join the CCF Contingent but places are limited, so a selection and trial period is held in the final term of year 8 for volunteers to be assessed for suitability. This activity along with the regular parades, takes place each Monday afternoon. Pupils can remain in the Cadets until you leave school in either Year 11, 12 or 13. All the CCF Officers and Civilian Instructors are members of staff and the School Staff Instructor (SSI) joined us in 2017 after serving 29 years in the RAF.

What will the recruits be learning?

During their recruitment phase, the trainee cadets will be learning the basics of military drill, which teaches people to obey orders without question and is the basis for teaching teamwork. This is not to make them automatons but help them to identify and function in environments where control, from a safety perspective, must be absolute: Such times are faced by the Police, Ambulance Service, Fire Service, Coastguard and many other organisations on a daily basis. In addition, recruits will also learn about the history of the RAF, Airmanship, Principles of Flight, First Aid and Initial Expedition Training, all of which are focussed on the three targets of camping overnight in a tent, achieving their Part One badge and their first flight in a powered aircraft. On receipt of their Part One badge the recruits become fully fledged Cadets.

On completion of Part One, all cadets become eligible to be considered for promotion, as well as participation in other activities such as camps.

Developing their skills

Pupils who join the CCF can expect to be challenged, both physically and mentally, whether that is through the expectation that they will maintain their own uniform or taking part in leadership exercises aimed at stretching their capabilities. Ultimately, they will become the leaders and instructors for the recruits and cadets that will follow in their footsteps in years to come. Some will take the academic steps in their stride, but struggle to maintain their uniform, others will lead themselves everywhere but be unable to lead others anywhere. This is where the bond of service will help them to come together to achieve both their own personal goals as well as those of the organisation. As they progress, cadets will be given the opportunities to take ownership of their activities including: arranging demonstrations for visitors, organising trips, recruit training, mentoring younger cadets and recruits, charitable activities, annual inspections and the overall running of the training programme. This environment will provide opportunity for the cadets to plan, organise and orchestrate, activities from beginning where the need to take control or to support, communicate through both talking and listening, find solutions through knowledge or trial and error, and gain the understanding that failure can teach as much as success, are key factors in developing themselves.

What are the Contingents expectations?

As places are limited and there will always be more applicants than places, the Contingent will have high expectations of those granted a place. These expectations will include: consistent attendance in uniform, the highest standards of turnout, and the application of the of the core ethos. This is:

• Respect both for themselves and others.

• Integrity and having the moral courage to always do the right thing.

• Service before self and s putting the needs of others before your own.

• Excellence in everything they do both in school and the cadets.

A failure to maintain this will result in a verbal warning, a written warning and ultimately dismissal from the organisation.